The Nigerian auction industry is preparing to take centre stage in Ilorin as the Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria (CIAN) unveils plans for its 2025 Annual National Conference. This high-profile gathering is designed to reinvigorate the profession and position it as a catalyst for economic transformation.

Scheduled for November 19 and 20, 2025, at the Rotana Event Hall in Kwara State's capital city, the conference will rally participants under the theme: "Repositioning Nigeria's Auction Industry."

Energy is building across the sector, with auctioneers, regulators, policymakers, innovators, and private sector investors expected to converge in their numbers from within and outside Nigeria.

In a statement in Abuja, National Conference Chairman, Sanni Muhammed Olaide, explained that the 2025 edition stands as a pivotal moment for the profession. He expects the event to define a fresh path for auctioneers and strengthen a sector that quietly but significantly supports national commerce.

"CIAN believes the auction industry is poised for a renaissance," Olaide said. The institute expects the Ilorin conference to deliver not just conversations, but actionable strategies that upgrade auction practices, tighten regulatory frameworks, and champion digital transformation within the profession.

"Program highlights read like a roadmap for industry renewal. The lineup features plenaries and panel discussions examining what auctions mean for Nigeria's evolving economy and how reforms could strengthen value creation. Professional development workshops will shine a light on ethics, transparency, and emerging global best practices.

"The conference will also stage the annual national auctioneers' competition, alongside an awards ceremony recognising distinguished professionals who have shaped the sector.

"Networking remains a major magnet for attendees, as Government representatives, business leaders, and practitioners of all scales are expected to explore partnerships that could open new revenue streams for the country while elevating auctioneering's contribution to the formal economy.